Mysterious Shaved Ice and a Fun Sweet Potato Mont Blanc in Asakusa — Sakura Saku

At Sakura Saku in Asakusa, the cafe is known for its mysterious shaved ice that doesn’t give you that sharp, brain-freeze headache, as well as its seasonal sweet potato Mont Blanc, which comes with an entertaining presentation.

Both the shaved ice and the Mont Blanc are incredibly photogenic, and you’ll find yourself taking plenty of photos and videos without even realizing it.

But when you hear about a popular shaved ice and dessert cafe, you might start to wonder:
Do I need a reservation?
What kinds of menu items do they have?
And what exactly is “mysterious shaved ice”?

No worries.
I’ve visited Sakura Saku myself—enjoying shaved ice in the summer and the sweet potato Mont Blanc in the winter—and in both seasons, the experience was even more impressive than I expected.

In this article, I’ll guide you as your “friend in Asakusa,” sharing tips on how to fully enjoy your experience at Sakura Saku and easing any concerns you might have!

Goma's Tips for the Perfect Sakura Saku Experience

Even if it’s your first visit, keep these three points in mind to make sure your experience goes smoothly.

1. Do I need a reservation?

When I visited in summer to try the shaved ice, the cafe was so popular that there was a long line outside. Standing in the heat for a long time can be tough, so I recommend making a reservation in advance through the cafe’s online reservation site.

Shaved ice is available year-round, so you can enjoy it even in winter. While it’s generally less crowded than in summer, weekends—especially around snack time (around 3 p.m.)—can still get busy. Weekdays tend to be a better time to visit. If you want to be sure you can get a seat, making a reservation is the safest option.

Please note that the menu and staff communication are mainly in Japanese. If you have any questions in advance, it may be helpful to send a message via the cafe’s Instagram DM. On the day of your visit, using a translation app can make ordering and asking questions much easier.

Many Japanese celebrities have visited this cafe.

2. What kinds of menu items are there?

The menu at Sakura Saku can be broadly divided into three categories:

(1) Mysterious shaved ice

(2) Sweet potato Mont Blanc

(3) Japanese sweets-making experiences

(1) Mysterious shaved ice

The mysterious shaved ice is available all year round. When I visited at the end of June, the menu included options such as Mix (¥2,500), Peach (¥2,500), Melon (¥2,500), Mango (¥1,700), Strawberry (¥1,700), Lemon (¥1,700), and Pineapple (¥2,000).

In winter, the menu changes significantly to reflect seasonal fruits. According to the staff, their winter recommendation is the “Fresh Strawberry” shaved ice, with strawberries arranged all around the ice in a 360-degree presentation—perfect for strawberry lovers!

These are the Peach and Mix shaved ice, available in summer.

Shaved Ice Menu (Winter)

Winter-only Fresh Strawberry Shaved Ice

(2) Sweet potato Mont Blanc (supervised by Ginza Imoyama)

This is a seasonal dessert, available from autumn through around April.
The Mont Blanc cream is piped right in front of you, with candied sweet potatoes served on the side and sweet potato chips placed on top.
The dessert is finished with a dramatic smoke effect. Just watching it being prepared is enough to make you excited!
It’s also incredibly photogenic, making it perfect for sharing on social media.

(3) Japanese Sweets-Making Experiences

You can participate in experiences such as freshly baked dorayaki, nerikiri (traditional Japanese sweets) making, or dango (rice dumpling) making, each priced at ¥3,300.

All of these experiences include a matcha tea making experience, giving you the rare opportunity to prepare your own matcha. You can also make a reservation for these Japanese sweets-making experiences through Jalan.net.

3. What’s “Mysterious Shaved Ice”?

“Mysterious shaved ice” is shaved ice that hardly gives you that sharp brain-freeze sensation you sometimes get when eating regular shaved ice. The reason is that the ice is sliced very thinly, giving it a light and fluffy texture.
This is a must-try for anyone who loves shaved ice but struggles with brain freeze!

My Experience

When I visited in summer, I ordered the Mix and Peach shaved ice.
The fluffy ice is topped with a yogurt-based sauce, which adds a gentle tang and richness that perfectly enhances the sweetness of the fruit. And it really doesn’t give you a brain freeze—so mysterious! The Mix comes with cherries, melon, pineapple, blueberries, strawberries… and even Asakusa’s famous Kaminari okoshi (sweet rice cracker)! The Peach is loaded with chunks of perfectly ripe peach, on top and inside!

I chose the strawberry and Earl Grey syrups from the all-you-can-add homemade syrups. Honey is also available to drizzle as much as you like, and being able to change the flavor as you eat makes the experience even more fun.

For the sweet potato Mont Blanc, I was given permission to film the preparation process and was able to watch every step.

Layers of ultra-fine, fluffy Mont Blanc cream are carefully piped over fresh whipped cream. Candied sweet potatoes are served on the side, generously coated in a sweet glaze and sprinkled with black sesame seeds.

Three sweet potato chips are then placed on top of the Mont Blanc, followed by a dusting of gold leaf for an extra touch of elegance. Finally, smoke is added under a glass dome, completing the dessert with a dramatic finish.

When the glass dome is lifted, the smoke billows out, filling the air with a sweet, inviting aroma.

The crispy candied sweet potatoes and the gently flavored sweet potato chips add a lovely contrast in texture and taste.

The Mont Blanc itself is rich and smooth yet not overly sweet, and when combined with the whipped cream inside, each bite leaves you feeling warm and happy.

For the set drink, I ordered an iced matcha au lait.
Using a traditional bamboo whisk, you prepare the matcha yourself and then pour it into the milk, making it a fun mini matcha experience.
Since the matcha au lait is not sweet (you can add sugar syrup if you like), it pairs perfectly with the sweet potato Mont Blanc.

Matcha is prepared using a traditional bamboo whisk (chasen).

In summer, this popular shop draws long lines day after day for its shaved ice.
In winter, enjoying shaved ice inside the warm, cozy cafe feels like a special treat.
Be sure to experience it together with the sweet potato Mont Blanc, a dessert that delights all five senses.

Cold water and warm hojicha are available for self-service.

Basic Information

🏠 Name: Sakura saku（サクラ咲）

📍 Address: 1-9-2, Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo

🕘 Hours: 11:00 - 22:00

💤 Closed on irregular days

🚃 Access: A 5-minute walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station

💴 Payment: Cash and credit cards accepted.

If you want to see more delicious food in Asakusa, be sure to check out my Instagram too📸✨Just click the icon below!